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HomeProfiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

‘I’ve always believed in justice’

Forest Hills Morgan Jarema
Committed to social justice and anti-racism advocacy, eighth-grader Ari James is working to be an agent of change in her school, community and state...

New director: enthusiasm of young learners is inspiring

Byron Center Erin Albanese
Meet Your Administrator: Cindy Viveen, the new Byron Center Early Childhood Center Director...

‘A light in a dark year’

East Grand Rapids Morgan Jarema
A retired teacher finds a way to continue to impact young learners, even in a year when she cannot come inside the building...

Longtime volunteer does whatever’s needed for school: ‘I love being here’

Grand Rapids Charles Honey
A 24-year parent and grandparent volunteer tends to student and family needs at Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy...

The sky’s the limit (or is it?) for this accomplished model builder

Meet the Future Erin Albanese
Creative, innovative, imaginative … Many of today’s students are all that and more in a vast variety of interest areas. This series features students with exceptional and unusual gifts...

Teacher lights science up with creativity

Kentwood Alexis Stark
As a child, Wendy Johnson’s curiosity led her to discover her passion for science. Now a ninth-grade biophysics teacher at East Kentwood, her passion transforms the average science class into a hub of student curiosity...

Third-grader collects winter clothes, blankets to help those in need

Byron Center Erin Albanese
(Photo by Dianne Caroll Burdick) Brown Elementary third-grader Jojo Gurd has worked to collect winter clothes and other items to help people experiencing homelessness in Grand Rapids...

A veteran teacher adapts to new reality: ‘nothing compares to this’

Grand Rapids Phil de Haan
An elementary school teacher of 40 years says education has never seen anything like 2020...

‘Soul of Northview’ Says Students Are the Reward

East Grand Rapids Charles Honey
Ted Burba, a longtime and beloved teacher for Northview Public Schools who retired this fall, died early this week after a long illness. In tribute to his lasting legacy, School News Network republishes this profile of Mr. Burba that originally ran in 2016 to honor his 50th year of teaching...

Filmmaker, engineer, future rocket-builder: it’s all about creativity

East Grand Rapids Morgan Jarema
Xiangyu Chen says his twin passions -- filmmaking and all things science, technology, engineering and math-related -- draw upon similar principles...

Longtime agriscience teacher earns honorary FFA degree

Caledonia Alexis Stark
After 24 years of teaching, John Schut believes incorporating fun and service into education is more engaging for students than taking notes in a classroom...

Career education expert takes on new Kent ISD assistant superintendent position

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Amid COVID-19, Sue Gardner took on a brand new role as Kent ISD assistant superintendent helping to administer and support the existing high school programs and help start new ones...

Entrepreneur, philanthropist, third-grader

Northview Morgan Jarema
This student leader wants everyone to be included...

A real team player

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
From bus schedules to substitute teaching, Ellen Veenkant helps where she can. And she’ll soon join a new team...

Bringing ‘positive intent’ to work every day

East Grand Rapids Morgan Jarema
Heather McKinney-Rewa is the new East Grand Rapids Middle School assistant principal. SNN gets to know her in this edition of Meet the Principal...

Musical prodigy, international performer, fourth-grader

Byron Center Erin Albanese
When Cameron Renshaw was in kindergarten he kept asking his mom, Tina Renshaw, about the cello in her closet...
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School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent County, which enroll more than 90,000 students. Founded in 2013, we are an editorially independent news site funded by Kent ISD, local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and photojournalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues that enhance or discourage student success, and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

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